The Gerdin family of Solon was honored as the 2025 Chapter Philanthropists of the Year by Make-A-Wish America at the nonprofit’s Evening of Excellence Award Ceremony, held during its national conference at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Recognized for their long-term support and transformational giving through their charitable foundation, including a recent $3.5 million pledge to the Iowa chapter’s Dreams Come True Fund, the Gerdins have helped fulfill nearly 250 wishes for critically ill children across the state, a news release said. “The Gerdin family’s generosity has not only expedited the wish granting for kids in Iowa at a time where we have over 300 kids fighting a critical illness, but it has also inspired others to believe in the life-changing power of a wish,” Sara Kurovski, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Iowa, said in a prepared statement. “Their leadership, compassion and love for the mission set the gold standard for philanthropy in Iowa.”